THESE ARE MY OWN OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANBASE
NO MORE SURPRISES
Craig Carlisle
Directed by
Campbell Bryer
Produced by
Suzie Gallo
Air Date
24/04/25 - SNG
Plot
Percy doesn't like surprises
Just another so-so predictable, boring episode that just hammers down its message about surprises can be good with another pointless song for Mattel's pointless mandated album that would just be gathering dust with no fanfare because they suck at marketing this show and its merchandise. When it comes to the song I would rather the one from the 8th season song that at least is more memorable than any of the songs from AEG put together.
Sure nice character progression from Percy but it feels like an episode where he's scared of something but just rub out his scaredness and make it about him being surprised instead. It's just a worn out character trait polished up to make it look like something different, like how Mattel always makes its generic circular or oval train sets for AEG by adding in a boring looking set piece that is randomly coloured to make it look different. Basically this scene from The Simpsons sums it up.
It would've been better if it was focused on Bruno since we have seen him not liking change. In fact the whole construction story arc could've been focused on him and his dislike for change since some people on the spectrum don't like when their routine changes which brings out anxiety. Perhaps the change of Cronk crossing got him worked up because with a big construction project that means there could be delays because the engines depend on this route to make their deliveries run on time. This could've made up that terrible useless subplot that was in the Christmas movie last year. It would've been much more interesting to see Bruno having some progression while still retaining himself on the spectrum showing kids more about them. It would've been much better than Thomas learning to be patient twice.
Speaking of Bruno and now knowing that this will be the last season of the show for good I will say it just seems wasteful to introduce him. Sure it's great that they'd introduced a character who is relevant to kids that are on the spectrum and he made me learn about it through his actions. But I wish that they'd done more with him with some progression. They made a big deal about him for S2 and then his role became minimal during the third season and this season, so far.
This show had lost so much potential to make itself a bit unique but would rather create boring, generic safe content. Plus this whole 'story arc' doesn't feel like one at all. Sure the Cronk crossing was being built in four episodes but that's it. No character progression whatsoever which is what a story arc is suppose to be! This whole arc just sucks!
Series Rating (So far):
Sheep Stampede - 6/10
The Berry Best - 3/10
Creepy Crawly Courage - 3/10
Windmill Woes - 2/10
Quacking Quandary - 1/10
The Stinking Delivery - 3/10
Don't Train on My Parade - 4/10
Shiny Spiffy Sandy - 3/10
Diesel's Bad Day - 4/10
Moo-Ving Friendship - 4.5/10
Art Engines Go - 1/10
Lightening the Load - 1/10
Baaa-tatsrophie! - 5.5/10
Terence Time Out - 1/10
Postage Percy - 4/10
A Crate Rescue - 1/10
Chaos at Cronk Crossing - 3/10
The Big Do-Over - 3/10
Did I Miss It? - 5/10
No More Surprises - 1/10
Overall Rating (So far):
58/200
